How Well Do You Know Herons? Take Our Quiz!

Which of these is a helpful way to separate herons from cranes, storks, and other similar birds?

a) Herons are always noticeably bigger
b) Herons fly with their wings held in a slight dihedral
c) Herons fly with their necks retracted, not outstretched
d) Herons typically fly low to the ground

Answer: c) Herons fly with their necks retracted into an S-shaped coil, not outstretched. Keep this in mind when viewing great blue herons or sandhill cranes in flight; both species are large, gray, long-necked, and long-legged, but the outstretched neck of the crane is distinctly different.